Philbin & Company are demonstrating ALL THE SIGNS of a 1st class coaching staff. For the first time in years we're actually developing talent and seeing overall team progress every week. The key points about this staff are consistency, above average intelligence, outstanding professionalism, sneaky good motivation, superior game planning, and very good game day execution (play calling, adjustments, etc.).

Above all, Joe Philbin exudes the "core competitive focus from above" that makes everyone around him better. I think he's adapted to his new role as well as anyone could possibly expect. He seems to have the RIGHT ANSWERS that match the game today. Like I said before the season, Philbin and Ireland could prove to be very formidable together. Right now it's fair to say Ireland accumulated a lot more talent than he was previously given credit for. And now that we have a staff that can develop and motivate that talent - all of a sudden we have a lot more legit players than any of us thought. Most important, this staff is getting a lot of impact put of our young dudes as opposed to having to go out and bring in previously developed talent from around the league.

Phbin & Ireland + a stable of young developing talent = a very sustainable, long-term solution to winning consistently in the NFL. That basic formula should make all Dolphin fans feel pretty good about the future.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2012 07:20AM by BigNastyFish.

Philbin has really impressed me. Not to compare him to shula, but this is the most prepared I've seen our team since the Man himself. Fewer penalties, great calls, etc. I feel like we've got the smartest coach on the sideline each week. None of this "fail forward fast" crap!!!

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

oh and I am glad we didn't get fisher. if we had it woulda been more of the same, grind it out running game, conservative, etc. plus we'd have had no DC because Gregg Williams would've been banned from the league soon after getting hired

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

BigNastyFish Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Philbin & Company are demonstrating ALL THE SIGNS
> of a 1st class coaching staff. For the first time
> in years we're actually developing talent and
> seeing overall team progress every week. The key
> points about this staff are consistency, above
> average intelligence, outstanding professionalism,
> sneaky good motivation, superior game planning,
> and very good game day execution (play calling,
> adjustments, etc.).
>
> Above all, Joe Philbin exudes the "core
> competitive focus from above" that makes everyone
> around him better. I think he's adapted to his new
> role as well as anyone could possibly expect. He
> seems to have the RIGHT ANSWERS that match the
> game today. Like I said before the season, Philbin
> and Ireland could prove to be very formidable
> together. Right now it's fair to say Ireland
> accumulated a lot more talent than he was
> previously given credit for. And now that we have
> a staff that can develop and motivate that talent
> - all of a sudden we have a lot more legit players
> than any of us thought. Most important, this staff
> is getting a lot of impact put of our young dudes
> as opposed to having to go out and bring in
> previously developed talent from around the
> league.
>
> Phbin & Ireland + a stable of young developing
> talent = a very sustainable, long-term solution to
> winning consistently in the NFL. That basic
> formula should make all Dolphin fans feel pretty
> good about the future.




Its amazing what having a good coach and a young QB with big upside can do for a franchises outlook.

YEAH WHERE ARE THE MORONS THAT WANTED TO FIRE IRELAND?

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IRELAND....

AS I TAKES A DEEP BREATH WAITING FOR INCOMING TORPEDO FROM SOME ATTORNEY OFFICE

Ireland was fully deserving of everything heaped on him entering this season. Now that some of his older picks are playing well, and RT looks like the real thing, we can re-evaluate. But no one can say based on his body of work entering the regular season he did not deserve to be run out of here on a rail

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

berk he did deserv3e it......But he is turning it around quick.

Soon you will even hear praises from chren....

if things keep going as they are, I would be OK with keeping Ireland around.

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

berkeley223 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ireland was fully deserving of everything heaped
> on him entering this season. Now that some of his
> older picks are playing well, and RT looks like
> the real thing, we can re-evaluate. But no one can
> say based on his body of work entering the regular
> season he did not deserve to be run out of here on
> a rail


Deserving?

That's a matter of perspective.

I'd say he was clearly in serious trouble and headed towards failing as GM. That's clear.

But any pronouncement of him having failed at that time would have been premature, and as circumstances have proven, an inaccurate/impulsive overreaction by angry fans.

GM's take 3-4 years to establish a track record.

Judging them before that is unfair and counter productive.

Ireland has a long way to go to prove he's a good GM or that he should be here long term, but he's finally got HIS coach and HIS QB, and you finally have had enough time to see how his abilities to judge talent might pan out.

I hope it works out for him and for us. Continuity in the front office is an important thing for winning teams.

Ireland was here for more than 3-4 years and I don't agree that it takes even that long to properly evaluate a GM. The Atlanta GM turned around that team right away. Most of Ireland's decisions in the years he was here were bad ones. I don't think it was too early to judge him. I think he may have been saved by Philbin and his staff, since it seems like these guys are getting the most out of a number of his former "busts" like Jerry, Misi, etc. To me, if anything is going to save him, it is that.

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Well Berk, I think you're making a strong case that Ireland's perceived past failures were more on Sparano's inability to develop them properly than on Ireland.

a)If you say he's not had enough time, it's a matter of opinion.

b) If you say he's done great, you're ignoring his numerous failures up against two winners, Tannehill and Long.

C) If you say he has done poorly, the only counter-argument is that he has not had enough time.

Put it all together and he grades out as C at best. (and that's a matter of opinion )

Not me. I've been behind them ever since they finally took the QB position seriously and grabbed one in the first round. I knew during Pre season they were going at least .500 with Tannehill.

Heres my thing with Irelend. I knew he was probably a good judge of talent but he seemed more concerned with his % then picking talent. He went safe on all the high picks and he became really gun shy after the Pat White debalacle. The way he stuck with Henne through thick and thin and just concentrated on linemen to Up the Running game pissed me off.

I think Philbin gave him more of a direction. He gave him a grocery list. I need a west type QB. I want to go to the 4-3 defense. And so on. And it seems to be a much better partnership.

Just like any successfull coach or GM. A good QB (or two) will make or break you. Spend too much time looking for one (and missing) and you're done.

Where would Belichick be without Brady? Coughlin without Manning?
TC was a great coach when he had Brunell in his prime. After Brunell was gone...so was TC. Fired!

Dungy was fired until he wound up with Manning. Now he is a genius.

I am talking about the rule. Not the exception.

The good part about the Miami Dolphins (as opposed to a team like NYG or Denver) is that we don't tank the season if we lose one player. Even if it is the stud rookie QB.

Can you imagine where Denver would be without Peyton? Same place Indy was last year without him.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

den made the playoffs with tebow last year so i don't think they are 2-14 if payton goes down

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

berkeley223 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ireland was here for more than 3-4 years and I
> don't agree that it takes even that long to
> properly evaluate a GM. The Atlanta GM turned
> around that team right away. Most of Ireland's
> decisions in the years he was here were bad ones.
> I don't think it was too early to judge him. I
> think he may have been saved by Philbin and his
> staff, since it seems like these guys are getting
> the most out of a number of his former "busts"
> like Jerry, Misi, etc. To me, if anything is going
> to save him, it is that.



The Proof is in the pudding.

3 months ago you wanted Ireland fired and run out of town on a rail. Now you are "OK" with keeping him.

Ask yourself what he's done to pull off such an amazing turnaround in your eyes in such a short time.

The answer is: NOTHING.

He hasn't made any major moves as GM in that time. The only thing that's happened is that his previous decisions/picks have begun to bear fruit.

If that's not proof that you need to give a GM time to properly evaluate him, then I don't know what would be.

Sure you can turn it around in a year like Atlanta... if you hit on a franchise QB out of the gate. But that's not the norm. Its the exception.

You can't predict when you will get a shot at a franchise QB. Heck...look at Atlanta...if we take Ryan #1 instead of Long do you think their GM has them where they are today? Of course not.

Lets take a look at Ireland over the last 3 years. I really don't want to re-litigate what he and Parcells are responsible for prior to that. Lets just say that for some, they don't think Ireland is responsible for his bosses mistakes... and that for others who think he is, we'll chalk them up as rookie mistakes or on the job training.

The last 3 years give you an idea of how we are trending regardless of your opinion on the two years before that:

2012 Draft:

1- Tannehill, QB…Franchise QB. First we’ve had in 13+ years….Excellent pick.
2- Martin, OT…starting OT as Rookie…Good pick with lots of upside.
3a- Vernon, DE…emerging Playmaker opposite Cam Wake. Excellent Pick.
3b- Egnew, TE…could be a bust. Might just need time to develop, but not doing much.
4- Miller, RB…Future star? I think so, has looked good when he’s played. Has to learn blitz pick up.
5- Kaddu, LB…currently on the 53
6- Cunningham, WR…on eagles practice squad. So-so pick.
7- Randall, DT…contributing as a rookie. Good pick
7- Matthews, WR…made 53. Solid pick.

2011
1- Pouncey, C…best Center in the game. Excellent pick.
2- Thomas, RB…hurt a lot but solid player when healthy. Could end up a bust or role player.
4- Gates, WR…starting for Jets. Jury is out, but looks like a solid talent.
6- Clay, HB…Jury is out but has flashed plenty of talent for a 6th round pick.
7- Kearse, DT…part time starter for Panthers.
7- Wilson, DB…contributor to 53.

2010
1- Odrick, DE…good rotational player…not great. 8 sacks in 15 career starts
2- Misi, OLB…developing into a good player under new staff.
3- Jerry, OG…starting at RG and playing well. Didn’t live up to the hype but not a bust either.
4- Edds, LB…bust. Always hurt.
5- Carroll, CB…developing into a major contributor at CB
5- Jones, S…starting SS. Developing playmaker.
7- McCoy, LB…miss
7- Spitler, LB…back up LB on 53.

23 picks over 3 years. Two, maybe three flat out misses and they were later picks. Some picks better than others… Some role players…some starters…some steals…some stars in the making.
How many GM’s in the league have that type of success ratio over that time period? Some for sure, but not many.

Free agents and trades:

Got Reggie Bush for a song.
Didn’t panic and overpay for Orton, Flynn, Kolb or any other journeyman QB.
Got Soliai for the right price.
Got Wake on a team friendly deal.
Signed Marshall, Burnet, and a bunch of other role players who have helped and undrafted FA’s with upside (Samuda, Devlin, etc).
Missed in trade for Marshall but got value when he didn’t fit the new system by unloading him.
Made great trade to dump Vontae Davis.

Add to that the fact that he hit a HOME RUN with his first coaching hire, as well as the staff they put together under Philbin, and the fact that he’s gotten us out of cap jail to the point we’ll have $50+ mill to resign guys like Smith, Long, Bush, Hartline…etc…etc as well as room to be players in free agency this year, and I’m not sure what else you are looking for in a GM.

Granted, he could have just had a lucky streak. I think the next two years determine whether he gets a long term commitment from Ross. But I think he’s earned those two years at this point. If two years from now Tannehill is a top 10 QB, we have a high powered offense, and are legit contenders to make post season noise then he’ll have succeed and will deserve a long term commitment.

Until then, he has work to do.

THE Truth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> berkeley223 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Ireland was here for more than 3-4 years and I
> > don't agree that it takes even that long to
> > properly evaluate a GM. The Atlanta GM turned
> > around that team right away. Most of Ireland's
> > decisions in the years he was here were bad
> ones.
> > I don't think it was too early to judge him. I
> > think he may have been saved by Philbin and his
> > staff, since it seems like these guys are
> getting
> > the most out of a number of his former "busts"
> > like Jerry, Misi, etc. To me, if anything is
> going
> > to save him, it is that.
>
>
>
> The Proof is in the pudding.
>
> 3 months ago you wanted Ireland fired and run out
> of town on a rail. Now you are "OK" with keeping
> him.
>
> Ask yourself what he's done to pull off such an
> amazing turnaround in your eyes in such a short
> time.
>
> The answer is: NOTHING.
>
> He hasn't made any major moves as GM in that time.
> The only thing that's happened is that his
> previous decisions/picks have begun to bear
> fruit.
>
> If that's not proof that you need to give a GM
> time to properly evaluate him, then I don't know
> what would be.
>
> Sure you can turn it around in a year like
> Atlanta... if you hit on a franchise QB out of the
> gate. But that's not the norm. Its the
> exception.
>
> You can't predict when you will get a shot at a
> franchise QB. Heck...look at Atlanta...if we
> take Ryan #1 instead of Long do you think their GM
> has them where they are today? Of course not.
>
> Lets take a look at Ireland over the last 3 years.
> I really don't want to re-litigate what he and
> Parcells are responsible for prior to that. Lets
> just say that for some, they don't think Ireland
> is responsible for his bosses mistakes... and that
> for others who think he is, we'll chalk them up as
> rookie mistakes or on the job training.
>
> The last 3 years give you an idea of how we are
> trending regardless of your opinion on the two
> years before that:
>
> 2012 Draft:
>
> 1- Tannehill, QB…Franchise QB. First we’ve
> had in 13+ years….Excellent pick.
> 2- Martin, OT…starting OT as Rookie…Good pick
> with lots of upside.
> 3a- Vernon, DE…emerging Playmaker opposite Cam
> Wake. Excellent Pick.
> 3b- Egnew, TE…could be a bust. Might just
> need time to develop, but not doing much.
> 4- Miller, RB…Future star? I think so, has
> looked good when he’s played. Has to learn
> blitz pick up.
> 5- Kaddu, LB…currently on the 53
> 6- Cunningham, WR…on eagles practice squad.
> So-so pick.
> 7- Randall, DT…contributing as a rookie. Good
> pick
> 7- Matthews, WR…made 53. Solid pick.
>
> 2011
> 1- Pouncey, C…best Center in the game.
> Excellent pick.
> 2- Thomas, RB…hurt a lot but solid player when
> healthy. Could end up a bust or role player.
> 4- Gates, WR…starting for Jets. Jury is out,
> but looks like a solid talent.
> 6- Clay, HB…Jury is out but has flashed plenty
> of talent for a 6th round pick.
> 7- Kearse, DT…part time starter for Panthers.
> 7- Wilson, DB…contributor to 53.
>
> 2010
> 1- Odrick, DE…good rotational player…not
> great. 8 sacks in 15 career starts
> 2- Misi, OLB…developing into a good player under
> new staff.
> 3- Jerry, OG…starting at RG and playing well.
> Didn’t live up to the hype but not a bust
> either.
> 4- Edds, LB…bust. Always hurt.
> 5- Carroll, CB…developing into a major
> contributor at CB
> 5- Jones, S…starting SS. Developing
> playmaker.
> 7- McCoy, LB…miss
> 7- Spitler, LB…back up LB on 53.
>
> 23 picks over 3 years. Two, maybe three flat out
> misses and they were later picks. Some picks
> better than others… Some role players…some
> starters…some steals…some stars in the
> making.
> How many GM’s in the league have that type of
> success ratio over that time period? Some for
> sure, but not many.
>
> Free agents and trades:
>
> Got Reggie Bush for a song.
> Didn’t panic and overpay for Orton, Flynn, Kolb
> or any other journeyman QB.
> Got Soliai for the right price.
> Got Wake on a team friendly deal.
> Signed Marshall, Burnet, and a bunch of other role
> players who have helped and undrafted FA’s with
> upside (Samuda, Devlin, etc).
> Missed in trade for Marshall but got value when he
> didn’t fit the new system by unloading him.
> Made great trade to dump Vontae Davis.
>
> Add to that the fact that he hit a HOME RUN with
> his first coaching hire, as well as the staff they
> put together under Philbin, and the fact that
> he’s gotten us out of cap jail to the point
> we’ll have $50+ mill to resign guys like Smith,
> Long, Bush, Hartline…etc…etc as well as room
> to be players in free agency this year, and I’m
> not sure what else you are looking for in a GM.
>
> Granted, he could have just had a lucky streak.
> I think the next two years determine whether he
> gets a long term commitment from Ross. But I
> think he’s earned those two years at this point.
> If two years from now Tannehill is a top 10 QB,
> we have a high powered offense, and are legit
> contenders to make post season noise then he’ll
> have succeed and will deserve a long term
> commitment.
>
> Until then, he has work to do.

you make persuasive points as usual but I have been consistent entering this season that if the guys Ireland picked in years past that were "busts" suddenly started playing well, and RT looks like the real deal, I'd need to re-evaluate whether to keep him. You also left off a few drafts with some very bad picks (pat turner, pat white, vonte) and a lot of great players at need positions passed over to take a lower rated/less valuable positon (jimmy graham, gronk, hell we could even say matt ryan). I know the first few years are "murkier" as to who actually made the decisions (bp or ireland) but still you can't just ignore them completely. I think after 3-4 years there was plenty to go on, and it was't good for ireland.

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

I guess it's the Parcells thing that makes The Truth start at 2010 instead of in January of 2008 when Ireland BECAME GM. I guess we can't count the drafts of 2008 and 2009. My old man used to say that "Although figures don't lie, liars DO figure."

I would say during the BP years BP probably had more say on the #1 picks but deferred to Ireland "the scout" on the lower round picks. Rounds 2-4 were the worst those first few years. I think it is BS to just give him a total pass for the time he was BP's #2.

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Just a couple of months ago some fans on this site were talking next year's draft with our top five pick and now we are talking play-offs.
You gotta love the direction we're heading in.

In the 2011 draft, that seems like a typical Ireland job, success in the 1st rd with Pouncey, and his next best pick probably Wilson in the 7th rd.... All those 2nd and 3rd rd picks next year scare the hell out of me.... I hope he packages them to move up and get 2 first rd picks...lol

-----------------------------------------------------------------
All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Nietzsche

It's really tough to judge Ireland at this point. I think he is a good talent evaluator and has generally made good picks. I think Sparano and Co. were terrible at developing talent however, and in fact players often seemed to regress under him. I look at the improvement that Misi and Jerry have made under Philbin, as well as much of our secondary, and am beginning to believe it was poor coaching under Sparano that made them look like busts.

No doubt. Saprano is just not that great a coach. WTF was Parcells thinking on that one? I really was pulling the hair out of my head watching him operate. WTF were the Jets thinking!? Unbelievable.

ChyrenB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> AT BEST, Parcells may have picked the number one
> guy in the draft. That was Jake Long in 2008. Not
> bad I'd say. .

At best? This is just biased speculation and not probable.

>
> But then again is that really any different than
> Tannehill probably being more the pick of Sherman
> and Philbin than Ireland?

Funny how Ireland gets all of the selective blame and no credit. If you're going to saddle him with all the "Parcels years" picks then you can't eliminate any of the picks from this year. Any other time its...Ireland was the GM so it is his responsibility. Now Philbin is even getting the credit? He has no history with RT.

> So actually, berk. If you give Jake Long to
> Parcells and Tannehill to Sherman and Philbin, you
> are only left with Pouncey being a great Ireland
> pick with Martin to be seen.

That's a BIG biased IF. Does Philbin get credit for hiring himself too?

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

I just don't know why some folks around here are unwilling to accept a simple fact:

Based on the actual returns in real football time, Ireland & Philbin have the striking resemblance of a WINNING COMBINATION.

In addition, based on actual returns in real football time, we can all agree Baby T didn't have a clue as far as developing talent and leveraging that talent in order to maximize impact and "get players in situations where they can shine."

The glaringly obvious fact that we are playing with oodles and oodles of confidence tells you how dramatically depressive the Baby T cloud was. That kind of negative mojo "creates busts" and retards player progress in a huge way! So let's give credit where it's due. Shall we?

Philbin & Company are by far the best coaching staff we've had in these parts since the glory daze of Shula and Arns. That's a FACT IMO, though of course we're still early in the results, but I've seen enough to be a true believer.

And...kind of like when Shula took over and Joe Thomas had been accumulating talent, all of a sudden the Dolphins had players all over the place. But ask yourself, would those same players be as "good" with an inferior coach etc? There's a tremendous dynamic between talent acquisition, coaching and talent developed. Simply put, really good coaches convert talent into really good players. OMG could it be true???

Sure, you have to have the talent to begin with or the development aspect doesn't work.
And that's the feedback point here. Suddenly with Philbin our roster "miraculously" amped its talent quotient by like 44.875%!

Inquiring minds gotta know! Is this Phinbin dude some kind of talent Talisman or
does Jeffie Ireland really have a legit eye for talent? OMG could it be true???

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ChyrenB Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > AT BEST, Parcells may have picked the number
> one
> > guy in the draft. That was Jake Long in 2008.
> Not
> > bad I'd say. .
>
> At best? This is just biased speculation and not
> probable.
>
> >
> > But then again is that really any different
> than
> > Tannehill probably being more the pick of
> Sherman
> > and Philbin than Ireland?
>
> Funny how Ireland gets all of the selective blame
> and no credit. If you're going to saddle him with
> all the "Parcels years" picks then you can't
> eliminate any of the picks from this year. Any
> other time its...Ireland was the GM so it is his
> responsibility. Now Philbin is even getting the
> credit? He has no history with RT.
>
> > So actually, berk. If you give Jake Long to
> > Parcells and Tannehill to Sherman and Philbin,
> you
> > are only left with Pouncey being a great
> Ireland
> > pick with Martin to be seen.
>
> That's a BIG biased IF. Does Philbin get credit
> for hiring himself too?

Whoa! You read my post and did not put it in context.

First, I post that we've got to make Ireland responsible for 2008 and 2009 too.

Second, Berk points out that Parcells probably had input on the number 1 pick but less likely on the picks that follow that.

Third, I agree with Berk and give him credit for Long. However, I say that at best in 2008 and 2009, Parcells, following Berk's theory, was only responsible for one or two picks and not the whole draft. THEREFORE, the bulk of those 2008 and 2009 picks SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN The Truth's recapitulation.

Fourth, I then said, "come to think of it, Tannehill was probably more a product of the desire of Sherman and Philbin than Ireland."

So, eesti, if you want to stand here and argue that "IT WAS ALL IRELAND'S IDEA TO DRAFT TANNEHILL AND SHERMAN AND PHILBIN HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT".......then I'll leave you to the judgement of the other posters on this board.

BTW, I did give him credit for Pouncey (but the next thing he did was to draft Daniel Thomas) and noted that Martin might turn out to be a good pick.

Edited to add that I forgot my summation conclusion.

Remember I said PUT IT ALL IN THERE. So I, contrary to BNF, gave Ireland CREDIT for Long. BNF said Long was Parcells, though. THE Truth carried it so far as to exclude ALL OF THE PICKS FROM 2008 AND 2009.

So it's NOT ME THAT TRYING TO CHERRY-PICK! That's your implication when you say it's funny that some people want to give Ireland none of the credit and all of the blame.

I just said that, IF ANYTHING, Parcells was only responsible for the top pick and the same could be said of the Tannehill pick which probably had more to do with Sherman and Philbin's reliance on Sherman's advice than Ireland. If you don't agree with the latter, then I think few would agree with you and few would disagree with me.

But my point WAS THAT IRELAND STILL SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF HIS PICKS AND THAT IS FROM 2008 THROUGH 2012, do you agree?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2012 09:36AM by ChyrenB.

Here's the real deal guys; BP and Sparano wanted players from day one that were bigger, stronger, meaner, and nastier than the players they lined up against. This was so they could grind the opposition down and win games by safe conservative play in the fourth quarter. They never wanted to get into shoot-out type games and never wanted the QB to have to win games with his arm. That's why we never took a QB with over the top talent and never took guys that had skills but not size...with the exception of Pat White. Who BP was in love with because of the wildcat. The systems we have been saddled with since the days of Shula have at each turn, been conservative and ball control oriented...with a few notable exceptions that does not work in todays NFL.

Now that the emphasis is on speed, agility, intelligence, discipline, and play making ability...we are seeing a much more competitive team.

Ireland deserves some credit here, as does Philbin and the other coaches too. Who, and how much, isn't really important IMHO. The fact that we are becoming relevent again as a result of our recent changes should be the real discussion. The off season should be the second exciting one in two years...let's hope there is many, many more.